Rail-joint.



No. 803,429. PATENTBD OCT. 31, 1905. W. W. POST.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1905.

X\\\ v Z 7 t/ k 7 Suuawfoz V v/mym UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

WILLIAM W. POST, OF VALLEYVIEW, SOUTH DAKOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOWARREN HURST, OF MILLER, SOUTH DAKOTA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application filed April 15, 1905- Serial No. 255,751.

To all when it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. Pos'r, a citizen of the United States,residing at Valleyview, in the county of Hand and State of South Dakota,have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in rail-joints designed to supportthe meeting ends of rails in a manner to prevent sagging or spreading ofthe rails.

The main object of the invention is the provision of arailjointcomprisinga plate adapted to be secured to the ties andsupporting the meeting ends of the rails.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application ofmy improved rail-joint. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the rails andfish-plates being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of therail-joint and connected rails, the fish plate being removed. Fig. 4 isa sectional detail, partly in elevation, illustrating my preferred formof spike.

Referring to thedrawings, wherein like reference-numerals indicate likeparts throughout the several views, myimproved rail-joint comprises abase-plate 1, designed to underlie and support the meeting ends of rails2 and 3. The plate, preferably oblong in plan, is provided on each edgewith a depending flange 4, the lower edges of which, flanges are formedwith a series of serrations or teeth 5, designed to bite into the tieand secure the plate against accidental movement. Spikeopenings 6 areformed in longitudinal alinement contiguous the side edges of therailflange, which openings are designed to receive spikes 7, theprojecting heads of which con tact with the bases of the rails in theusual manner. Each opening 6 is surrounded by a projecting wall 8, whichinclines from the surface of the plate 1 upward, terminating c0-incident with the edge of the opening 6. The wall described forms awater-shed about the opening 6 to deflect any water from said opening,and thereby prevent destruction of the tie about the spike.

The meeting ends of the rails 2 and 3 are recessed longitudinally at 9to provide when said rails are placed end to end a rectangular opening,as shown. Similar openings 10 are formed in each of the rails 2 and 3 ashort distance from the recess 9, these openings descending transverselythrough the rails and being preferably rectangular in shape. Fishplates11, formed with laterally-projecting keys 12, are designed to be securedon each side the meeting ends of the rails by suitable bolts 13, thebolts passing through the rails and fish-plates. The keys 12 projectfrom the fish-plates a distance equal to half the thickness of the webof the rail, so that when a fish-plate is in place on each side the keys12 thereof will project half-way through the openings formed in therails and abut against the corresponding key of the opposite fishplate.

The weight of the rails and trains will forcethe teeth 5 of the plate 1into the ties of the track, it being understood that said plate is of alength to include two ties or may be of such length as to engage only asingle tie. The holding action of the teeth, together with the holdingeffect of the spikes 7 will prevent any longitudinal movement of theplate, and therefore the meeting ends of the rails are prevented againstsagging, the weight on one rail end being communicated and shared by theadjoining rail end. The fish-plates prevent independent longitudinalmovement of the rails when connected and arranged as described and,together with the base-plate, provide an eflective rail-joint.

By preference the spike 7 is of particular form, being transverselyrecessed or grooved at 1 1, formed intermediate the length of the spike,and preferably two in number. The grooves are formed on each side of thespike that is, on opposite facesthereby providing projecting edges orsurfaces 15 immediately contiguous said grooves. In the use of thisspike the grain of the tie is cut by the entrance of the spike, the woodbeing forced downward and outward to avoid the projections 15, thedisplaced portion springing back into the grooves 14:, securelyembedding the spike in the tie to prevent its accidental withdrawal.

While I prefer the use of the spike hereinbefore described, it isunderstood that 1 contemplate the use of any other form of spike whichmay be found convenient or desirable.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is Arail-joint comprising a base-plate formed with a series of dependingteeth to engage the railroad-tie, said plate being designed to supportthe meeting ends of rails and formed IO with spike-openings adjacent thebases of said rails, inclined walls encircling said openings to provideWater-sheds, and fish-plates to secure'the meeting ends of the railsagainst longitudinal movement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILLIAM W'. POST.

WVitnesses:

F. E. CRABTREE, WARREN HURs'r,

